More than 20 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition seized during police search at NT cattle station

Police have seized firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition after searching a NT cattle station in relation to a suspected case of livestock theft.

The firearms police seized at the cattle station near Katherine. Picture: NTPFES

NT POLICE have seized 25 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition and issued two men with notices to appear before court after searching a NT cattle station in relation to a suspected case of livestock theft.

NT Police report that on Sunday, June 27, Katherine Criminal Investigation Branch officers working conjunction with Taskforce Starlight executed a search warrant at a cattle station near Katherine, where they allegedly found the collection of firearms and ammunition, including a revolver that had allegedly been reported stolen.

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They also found “a quantity of” fireworks and part of a protected animal species, which have also been seized.

Police have issued a 70-year-old man with a notice to appear before court on the following 18 offences:

• 7 x Possess unregistered firearm
• 2 x Possess firearm unlicensed
• 6 x Fail to meet storage requirements – firearms
• 1 x Fail to meet storage requirements – ammunition
• 1 x Possess protected wildlife
• 1 x Possess fireworks outside approved period

They have also issued a 30-year-old man with a notice to appear on the following 24 offences:

• 5 x Possess unregistered firearm
• 7 x Possess firearm unlicensed
• 1 x Possess ammunition without a licence
• 7 x Fail to meet storage requirements – firearms
• 1 x Fail to meet storage requirements – ammunition
• 1 x Possess stolen property
• 1 x Possess prohibited weapon
• 1 x Possess fireworks outside approved period

Both men are due to appear before Katherine Local Court on Wednesday, September 15.

NT Police Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Ian Kennon said police were continuing to investigate the station in relation to allegations of cattle theft.

“Over a four day period, NT Police remained on the offending station and recovered over 370 stolen cattle, valued at nearly $700,000,” he said.

“Police are further investigating a large quantity of calves located, some of which are believed to be stolen.”

Acting Snr Sgt Kennon also said there had been an increase in livestock theft reports since stock squad Taskforce Starlight was established in late 2020.

He urged anyone who believed they had been a victim of such thefts to contact police on 131444.

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